allonlinenovel Chapter 287: Talking about Dumplings
Chapter 287: Talking about Dumplings
After the volunteers, enthusiastic fans and our lovely kindergarten children went to the rest area to take a break, I turned around with a smile to face the group of curious babies in the live broadcast room, ready to introduce the distinctive solar term of Beginning of Winter in detail again.
"My dear babies, Teacher Lotta has just told you what solar term it is today. Do you still remember?" My gentle words came through the screen and instantly ignited the warm atmosphere in the live broadcast room.
All I heard was the clacking sound of keyboard tapping, and then the barrage of comments was filled with uniform replies like snowflakes - "Lidong! Lidong!" Looking at the screen full of positive and enthusiastic responses, a warm feeling surged in my heart.
"That's right, today is the Beginning of Winter! The arrival of Beginning of Winter means the cold winter has officially arrived. So, babies, remember to dress warmly and don't let yourself get sick or catch a cold!" I had just finished speaking when I caught a particularly eye-catching comment in the comments. It was from a user named Xiaoxiaobuxiao, who asked, "Teacher Sui Sui, can you tell us more about dumplings?" This comment seemed to have magical power, quickly attracting echoes from several other netizens.
Seeing this, I readily agreed: "Of course no problem! In fact, in our country's traditional customs, eating dumplings at the Beginning of Winter has a particularly beautiful meaning..." Just like that, I began to tell the babies in the live broadcast room about the profound cultural connotations and beautiful blessings behind eating dumplings at the Beginning of Winter.
After the Beginning of Winter, the temperature seems to be slowly being pulled down by an invisible hand, getting lower and lower day by day, and the coldness is coming like a tidal wave. In such a cold season, dumplings, a delicious and nutritious food, have become a regular on people's tables.
Dumplings, their dough wrapped around a variety of delicious fillings, are like tiny, exquisite treasures. Not only are they rich in essential nutrients like protein and carbohydrates, they also provide ample calories, like a fire on a winter's day, warming both body and soul and helping to withstand the biting cold brought by the biting wind.
Interestingly, dumplings are shaped like human ears, leading to a popular saying: eating dumplings will keep your ears warm all winter long! This is why the popular saying "If you don't eat dumplings on the Beginning of Winter, your ears will freeze off and no one will care" has emerged.
For the Chinese, the Beginning of Winter (LIWU) solar term has always been a crucial time for family reunions. Families flock home from far and wide to celebrate the occasion. Dumplings, a traditional family delicacy, naturally find their way onto the table, becoming an essential delicacy at Lidong family gatherings. Family members, young and old, gather in a warm house, lively and cheerfully making dumplings while chatting. The adults skillfully roll out the dough, mix the filling, and fold the dough, while the children curiously imitate and occasionally lend a hand. Though their faces get covered in flour, their laughter fills the room. When the steaming dumplings are served, the whole family gathers together, savoring their homemade creations, a deep sense of family affection blossoming on their tongues. At this moment, dumplings carry more than just a simple craving; they convey a deep sense of reunion and harmony.
Eating dumplings on the Beginning of Winter is far more than just a dietary habit; it's a cultural feast steeped in tradition, steeped in millennia. The dumplings' mellow, adorable shape symbolizes reunion and happiness; their rich, varied fillings signify the abundance and diversity of life. Every bite of the thin, tender skin and tender fillings is a glimpse into the beautiful aspirations and values embodied in traditional Chinese culture. Thus, generation after generation, through the simple act of eating dumplings, have experienced the unique charm of traditional culture, passing this precious heritage on to future generations, ensuring the continued existence of the fine traditions of the Chinese nation.
Dumplings undoubtedly hold a significant place in traditional Chinese culture. Their unique shape, resembling ancient gold ingots, symbolizes unending wealth and good fortune. And every dumpling-making process is a heartwarming family gathering. The whole family, young and old, sits together, some rolling the dough, some mixing the filling, and some wrapping the dumplings, all working together in a joyful atmosphere. This collaborative approach not only allows family members to feel cared for by one another amidst their busy schedules, but also fosters mutual understanding and solidarity, fully embodying the beautiful image of family reunion.
The origin of dumplings has a fascinating legend! Legend has it that during the Beginning of Winter, the special solar term, the medical sage Zhang Zhongjing had a sudden inspiration. He creatively wrapped various delicious fillings in dough, creating dumplings and distributing them to the local people. The weather was bitterly cold at the time, and many people suffered from frostbite on their ears. Zhang Zhongjing, deeply aware of the suffering of the people, hoped to create this delicacy to help them withstand the cold and protect their ears. Since then, every Beginning of Winter, when people enjoy dumplings, they are filled with deep respect and nostalgia for this renowned doctor.
The custom of eating dumplings during the Beginning of Winter has a long history, dating back to the ancient understanding of the "time of exchange." Ancient people believed that the Beginning of Winter marked the transition between autumn and winter, a moment of special significance. Thus, at this time, people chose to enjoy dumplings to celebrate this transition, praying for good weather and a bountiful harvest for the coming year. Time flies, and despite the dramatic changes of the times, this ancient custom remains enduring in many corners of China. Furthermore, the story of Zhang Zhongjing's invention of dumplings has become increasingly popular, imbuing this traditional custom with rich cultural heritage and profound emotional meaning. Today, when we enjoy steaming, delicious dumplings during the Beginning of Winter, we are not only satisfying our appetite but also passing on the wisdom and humanistic spirit accumulated over thousands of years by the Chinese nation.
After discussing dumplings, we excitedly chatted with our online friends about the adorable children at the kindergarten. Time flew by, seemingly in the blink of an eye, and before we knew it, a long time had passed in this joyful exchange.
At that moment, a kind volunteer approached me with a smile and whispered, "The bonfire party is about to begin!" My thoughts were instantly brought back to reality. I quickly snapped back to reality, said goodbye to the people in the livestream, and quickly got back to the preparations.
In a short while, a neat pile of firewood was stacked on the grass, covered with fireproof mats, without damaging the grass. With the flick of a match, the flames leaped up joyfully, like lively spirits, instantly illuminating every inch of the surrounding space. The scattered crowds gathered again, and those who had just been immersed in the wonderful memories of the previous exciting event could no longer conceal their excitement.
Someone first pulled an exquisite guitar from their backpack, fingers gently plucking the strings, and a light, melodious melody flowed out like a stream. Immediately afterwards, several energetic young people joined hands and danced gracefully around the blazing bonfire. Their graceful movements and radiant smiles were like the brightest stars in the night sky, dazzling the eyes.
Meanwhile, the innocent children had no time to spare. Each of them held a small wooden stick, carefully placing it over the flames and slowly roasting it. The warm firelight reflected on their tender little faces, making them red like ripe apples, making them look particularly adorable.